Trail of a Fairy

10. A Harbour

Natsu walked farther down the street, with Nashi trailing behind him. Looking at the shop signs, Natsu sighed. Last time he was here, it was still here. But it had been a while. Just as he was beginning to think it was gone, there it was. Natsu grinned, and entered.

Nashi stopped outside the shop. It looked to be a cafe. On its sign were two jellyfish looking things that were hugging - one had a bow on what Nashi assumed was its head. The windows were lined with wood and through each window Nashi could see a booth. Natsu had already sat down in one of the booths. Nashi ran to join his father.

"What is so special about this place, dad?" Nashi asked as he sat down.

Natsu thanked a waitress as she dropped of plates of food. There was a lot. Spaghetti, fish, spring rolls, fruit, meat, burgers, drinks, even a salad. Nashi stared at the array of food. There was so much food. Natsu grinned, and started to reach for the food.

"This was how Lucy thanked me for freeing her from the charm spell." He began to eat a burger. "She took Happy and I for lunch."

Nashi went to grab a spring roll. "Really? So you met by accident?"

Natsu chuckled. "How else do two strangers meet?"

"That's it? Mom bought you lunch?"

Natsu nodded. "But you know, she went on a rant about how she wanted to join Fairy Tail. She kept saying it was the best guild, and she was sure there was a long process to join."

"So you took mom back to Fairy Tail." Nashi replied. "But then what happened with the charm spell guy? The guy who was capturing girls on his ship?"

Natsu grinned. "I didn't take Lucy to Fairy Tail. Not yet. She left, and got conned by that idiot, Bora. He told her that he was a Fairy Tail mage and could get her in."

Nashi shook his head. He took a sip of water and another bite of a spring roll. Looking up, he realized most of the food was already gone. Natsu had several empty plates around him. Rolling his eyes, Nashi tried to bring the focus back to his mom.

"So how did you and mom beat up that guy then?" He pushed. "What happened?"

Natsu ignored him and waved for the waitress. She began to clear the plates, piling one on top of another. Natsu thanked her and gave her a wad of cash. He finished his meal and stood to leave. Nashi watched with mouth agape.

"Dad!" He called as Natsu started to leave. "What happened after that?"

Natsu smiled and motioned for Nashi to follow him. Without a word, Natsu left the store. Nashi ran after him, calling for more answers. Natsu ignored him; so long as he was still following him. And he headed down towards the harbor. Just before he reached the harbor, he veered to the left. There was a set of stairs that went up to a lookout over the town and harbor. Nashi caught up, huffing and puffing.

"Dad? What - what are we doing?"

Natsu looked at the harbor. He saw the boats, peacefully sitting there. They were all small boats. No one them were like the yacht from that day.

"This is the second place where I met Lucy."

"On another street?" Nashi groaned.

"Nope." Natsu pointed towards the harbor. "On a boat. Out there."

Nashi pulled back. "You? On a boat?"

Chuckling, Natsu looked away from the harbor. There was no wind, but Natsu was sure he felt the wind stinging his eyes. As he looked at his son, his vision blurred. Quickly, Natsu wiped his eyes. Nashi stood quietly, watching the silent tears fall.

"That bastard..." Natsu cried. "That bastard had his hands all over her - trying to kidnap her. I wish I knew earlier. I would've killed him for it."

Nashi looked carefully at his dad. Natsu was hiding his face behind his arm, but Nashi could still see the tears falling. He could still hear the anger and the pain as his voice cracked.

"Dad?" Nashi nearly whispered. "Why did you go on the boat?"

"That bastard... said he was from Fairy Tail. He wasn't. He just used the fame to capture girls. He even used it to trap Lucy." Natsu sobbed. "I wish - I wish I knew earlier. I want to save her."

Nashi stood in silence as he watched his father. Slowly, Natsu dropped his arm. He could feel the tears on his face and the trail they made. He could practically see the red in his eyes. And he could see the look on his son's face. The pity. Natsu wiped his face off. Nashi tried to smile at his dad. Reaching for his father's hand, Nashi turned around.

"C'mon dad. Let's go back home."

Natsu stuck his heels in. "No. Not yet. There are tw- one more place I need to show you."

Natsu started to walk. Nashi didn't let go of his dad's hand as he followed him. This time, Natsu didn't go too fast. He kept his pace with Nashi by his side. Nashi held tightly onto his father's hand. He noticed how loosely his father held his hand.

"Dad, where are we going?"

"To our first official job."

"And the other place?"

Silence.

Nashi tried again. "The one you changed your mind about?"

"... Our last job."